Context – The play was written by William Shakespeare at some point between 1596 and 1599.

Scene-by-Scene Summary – Take note of the key quotations from each scene.
Shakespeare’s Time – Shakespeare wrote his plays at the time of Elizabethan England and Italy –Shakespeare frequently engaged Antonio discusses his sadness with Salanio and Salarino. He agrees In Belmont is a lady richly left,
Act 1 Scene 1 to guarantee a loan for Bassanio so that he can woo Portia. And she is fair, and, fairer than that word,
two monarchs: Queen Elizabeth I and King James I. The with Italy in his plays, leading many to believe that he
Merchant of Venice was written fairly early in travelled there between the late 1580s and early 1590s. In Belmont, Portia laments the many men who have tried to Your father was ever virtuous, and holy men
Shakespeare’s career, during the relatively more Italy was a place that Shakespeare’s contemporaries Act 1 Scene 2 marry her, who could not guess the correct of the 3 caskets (a at their death have good inspirations.
clause in her father’s will). She expresses admiration for Bassanio.
optimistic years of Queen Elizabeth – this is when would have had a keen interest in; it was already an Bassanio loans the money from Shylock, a Jewish lender who Express'd in the condition, let the forfeit
Shakespeare wrote the majority of his comedies, before the darker advanced and beautiful place for travel. Shakespeare’s depictions of Act 1 Scene 3 hates Antonio. Although there is no interest, the late payment Be nominated for an equal pound
tragedies that he created during the reign of James I. many areas of Italian life at the time are deemed largely accurate. punishment would be a pound of Antonio’s flesh. Of your fair flesh, to be cut off and taken
Religion – The heavy religious presence is evident across Patriarchal Society –Society throughout the Middle Age The Prince of Morocco wishes to marry Portia. Proclaiming his Mislike me not for my complexion,
several parts of The Merchant of Venice. This is reflective and at Shakespeare’s time was patriarchal – women Act 2 Scene 1 own bravery, he asks to be led to the three chests, even though The shadowed livery of the burnished sun,
of a society across Europe that was deeply religious were considered inferior to men. This was also the case in he knows that if he is wrong, he can never marry. To whom I am a neighbor, and near bred.
(predominantly catholic or protestant). Several characters much of Europe, including Italy. Women belonged to Launcelot and Gobbo, Shylock’s servants, convince Bassanio to To be rul'd by my conscience, I should stay with
Act 2 Scene 2 employ them. He agrees. Bassanio also agrees to allow Gratiano the Jew my master… God bless the mark!, is a kind of devil;
demonstrate their commitment to Christian values, such their fathers (or brothers if their fathers had died) and then their to accompany him to Belmont, provided he behaves himself. …to run away from the Jew, I should be ruled by the fiend,
as Antonio, Bassanio, and Portia. Shylock (a Jew), however, is husbands, and so Portia, for example would have been expected to Shylock’s daughter, Jessica, tearfully bids goodbye to Launcelot. Alack, what heinous sin is it in me
portrayed as the antagonist of the play. The traits that he obey the commands of her father. Portia actually subverts many Act 2 Scene 3 She gives him a note for Lorenzo (Bassanio’s friend). She wishes to To be ashamed to be my father's child?
demonstrates, such as being greedy, cold and selfish, were common expected traits of women at the time. Women were expected to be marry him, leave her father, and convert to Christianity.
stereotypes associated with Jews in Shakespeare’s time. This has led a passive and submissive, whereas Portia is autonomous and creative. Act 2 Scene 4 Gratiano, Lorenzo, and others conspire to help Jessica escape. How I shall take her from her father's house,
number of critics to label the play as being anti-Semitic. Sources – As with many of Shakespeare’s plays, the basic Shylock warns Launcelot that Bassanio won’t be as lenient as he. What, Jessica!—Thou shalt not gormandize
At the time, Shakespeare was writing, Jews had been banished for Act 2 Scene 5 Feeling trouble brewing, he tells Jessica to keep the windows shut. As thou hast done with me—what, Jessica!—
plot outline is borrowed from preexisting texts. For
around 300 years. Shakespeare’s audiences would have had little example, the forfeit of a merchant’s deadly bond was a Jessica escapes, with the help of Gratiano, Salarino, and Lorenzo Beshrew me but I love her heartily,
knowledge about people of the Jewish faith beyond prejudice and common tale in England in the 16th Century. Pecorone, Act 2 Scene 6 (who is late), taking with her a casket of Shylock’s gold and For she is wise, if I can judge of her,
rumour. It is likely that they would not have questioned the cruel jewels. Gratiano then leaves to set sail with Bassanio. And fair she is, if that mine eyes be true,
written by Giovanni Fiorentino in 1558, influenced a Back in Belmont, the prince chooses the gold casket - the wrong But here an angel in a golden bed
treatment of the outcast Shylock as people would today. number of the same plot elements, for example the ‘pound of flesh.’ Act 2 Scene 7 choice. Portia is glad to see him go. Lies all within. Deliver me the key;
Solanio and Solarino recount Shylock’s rage at finding his
"My daughter, O my ducats, O my daughter!
daughter and ducats gone. They hope that Antonio is able to
Act 2 Scene 8 Fled with a Christian! O my Christian ducats!
Main Characters – Consider what Shakespeare intended through his characterisation of each of the below… pay his debt. They recall how Antonio would not let Bassanio
think of debt or danger as he went to court Portia.
Justice, the law, my ducats, and my daughter,"
Shylock – Shylock is a Jewish money-lender in Venice, who acts as Portia – Portia is a wealthy heiress from Belmont. She is considered The Prince of Arragon tries and fails to win marriage to Portia Madam, there is alighted at your gate
Act 2 Scene 9 (selecting the silver casket). Bassanio arrives. A young Venetian, one that comes before.
the play’s main antagonist. He is angered by the treatment that he extremely beautiful, and she is also exceptionally intelligent. She is
receives at the hands of Venice’s Christians and seeks to exact his bound by a will left by her father, which decrees that she may only Shylock expresses his hatred of Antonio to Solanio and Solarino, I am a Jew. Hath not
revenge through a bloodthirsty payment demand of a pound of marry a man who is able to choose correctly among three caskets. Act 3 Scene 1 and his desire to use the cruelty that Christianity has taught him. a Jew eyes? hath not a Jew hands, organs, dimensions,
He is overjoyed to hear that Antonio’s ships have been wrecked. senses, affections, passions?
Antonio’s flesh. Although seen by other characters as an evil monster, Whilst bound by the rigid nature of the will, Portia shows a sense of What, no more?
Bassanio insists on choosing the casket. With a little hint here and
Shylock does demonstrate a more human side on occasion. This cunning and creativity in exploring loopholes in its stipulation. These Pay him six thousand, and deface the bond.
there, he chooses the correct casket (the lead one). Nerissa and
enables the audience to view him as product of cruel circumstances. skills are eventually used to save Antonio from Shylock’s knife. Gratiano admit that they too have fallen in love. Lorenzo and Double six thousand, and then treble that,
Quote: ‘and what’s his reason? I am a Jew. Hath not a Jew eyes?’ Quote: “The quality of mercy is not strained. Act 3 Scene 2 Jessica arrive with Salarino, who gives Bassanio a letter from
Before a friend of this description
For never shall you lie by Portia's side
(III.i) It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven” (IV.i) Antonio, revealing his ships are ruined. Bassanio rushes to Verona With an unquiet soul. You shall have gold
Antonio – Antonio is the play’s title character, who displays Bassanio – Bassanio is a close friend of Antonio, and a kinsman in to be with his friend, before Shylock gets his pound of flesh. To pay the petty debt twenty times over:
generosity to Bassanio. However, he remains passive and Venice. He seeks to borrow money from Antonio in order to woo Act 3 Scene 3
Shylock, throwing Antonio in jail, insists on his bond: ‘a pound of I'll have my bond. Speak not against my bond.
melancholy throughout, and the source of his sadness is never truly Portia. Whilst he enjoys a lavish lifestyle, he has poor financial flesh.’ Antonio thinks Shylock’s claim will be upheld by the Duke. I have sworn an oath that I will have my bond.
revealed. He is something of a hopeless depressive, unable to even control, and can make hasty choices. Whilst he is a poor Portia explains to Lorenzo how she and Nerissa will live in a Of lineaments, of manners, and of spirit;
generate the energy to defend himself against execution. He is also businessman, he is a skilled and astute suitor, being Portia’s only love monastery in a state of prayer until Bassanio returns. Secretly, Which makes me think that this Antonio,
Act 3 Scene 4 however, she plots with her servant, Balthasar, to don men’s Being the bosom lover of my lord,
an anti-Semite, who enjoys mocking Shylock. interest to choose the correct casket. clothes and pay an incognito visit to Verona. Must needs be like my lord.
Quote: “Pray God Bassanio come / To see me pay his debt, and then Quote: “To unburden all my plots and purposes Jessica says to Launcelot that her soul will be saved by converting He tells me flatly there is no mercy for
Act 3 Scene 5
I care not” (III.iii) How to get clear of all the debts I owe.” (I.i) to Christianity. She then heavily praises Portia to Lorenzo. me in heaven, because I am a Jew's daughter;
Jessica – Jessica is Shylock’s daughter. However, she hates living in Gratiano – Gratiano is a friend of Bassanio, and accompanies him The trial begins. The Duke suggests that Shylock means only to scare Antonio, Make room, and let him stand before our face.—
but Shylock insists that he wants his bond, citing his hatred. Bassanio arrives and
his house, and she turns her back on his strongly Jewish beliefs in to Belmont to woo Portia. Whilst Bassanio courts Portia, Gratiano offers Shylock 6 times the original loan, but Shylock refuses. A letter reveals that
Shylock, the world thinks, and I think so too,
order to elope with a Christian suitor: Lorenzo. She seems meets and falls in love with her lady-in-waiting: Nerissa. Gratiano is a Dr Bellario is sending a young lawyer named Balthasar (Portia in disguise) to That thou but leadest this fashion of thy malice
embarrassed to be related to her father. She sells off a valuable an extremely coarse and loquacious character, as becomes clear decide on the matter. She lectures Shylock about mercy, but he insists that he To the last hour of act, and then, 'tis thought,
Act 4 Scene 1 offer none. As Shylock prepares to cut Antonio open, Portia reminds him that Thou wilt show thy mercy and remorse more strange
turquoise ring that her deceased mother had left to her father. when Bassanio needs to warn him of his conduct before they travel. not one drop of blood can be spilled, for the bond does not entitle him to this. Than is thy strange apparent cruelty;
Jessica associates her father’s rude behaviour with his being Jewish, Gratiano is an insulting critic of Shylock throughout the trial, Shylock backpedals, asking for the money instead, which is denied. For
And where thou now exacts the penalty,
threatening the life of a Venetian, Shylock is then stripped of his estate. Antonio
and so seems to eagerly anticipate becoming Christian. reacting in horror to Shylock’s lack of mercy and compassion. returns this to him, on the condition that he convert to Christianity. Which is a pound of this poor merchant's flesh,
Quote: “Alack, what heinous sin is it in me Quote: “The bargain of your faith, I do beseech you Portia (still in disguise) convinces Bassanio to part with his ring. His ring I do accept most thankfully,
Act 4 Scene 2
To be ashamed to be my father's child?” (II.iii) Even at that time I may be married too.” (III.ii) With Nerissa, she conspires to get Gratiano to part with his. And so I pray you tell him.
Act 5 Scene 1 Everyone arrives back in Belmont. After jesting the men over the rings, Portia and I would out-night you, did no body come;
Nerissa reveal their roles in the trial. It is announced that some of Antonio’s ships have
miraculously arrived back at port, and that Lorenzo stands to inherit Shylock’s fortune. But, hark, I hear the footing of a man.

Themes – A theme is an idea or message that runs throughout a text.

Dramatic Devices in The Merchant of Venice Features of a Comedy
Love versus Material Wealth – The Christian characters are shown on the surface as valuing relationships over business ventures. In the court scene (A4 S1), the audience Playful Language – Puns, quips and vibrant figurative
For example, Bassanio seems to be careless with money, and yet his will to develop relationships with others (e.g. Portia and Dramatic Irony knows that the lawyer is actually Portia, but language are written into the text to demonstrate wit.
Antonio) leads to him becoming extremely rich by the end of the play. Characters who value money and profit over relationships, the other characters do not.
on the other hand, are seen as outcast and destitute. This is put forward as a Jewish trait. Shylock, for example, laments the loss of The quality of mercy is not strained (Spoken Misunderstandings/ Confusion/ Deception – Humour is derived
material wealth more than the loss of his daughter. This being said, he also rejects wealth in order to seek justice. Soliloquy
by Portia, A4 S1) from characters’ shrouded perceptions of reality.
Marriage – Marriage in the play is associated with a number of different feelings and purposes, as opposed to simply romantic In A1 S3, (lines 37-57) Shylock’s aside shows
Underlying Critique – Shakespeare ridicules some of the issues in
love. Marriage is the chance for Jessica to escape her unhappy household, for example, and provides Bassanio with the Aside that he holds hatred for Antonio, and
society, e.g. systems of class, love and honour.
opportunity to gain vast material wealth. Marriage in the play is seen as a quest, a venture, in order to secure a better life. relishes getting one over him.
Mercy versus Justice – The dispute between Shylock and the Christian characters reaches its climax over the issue of mercy. Whilst Shylock is Bassanio’s financial carelessness with his
legally correct, the others expect him to be merciful as this is seen as the way of God in Christianity. However, insists on getting his pound of Foreshadowing estate foreshadows his financial carelessness Happy Ending – Normally involving a marriage.
flesh, as in his eyes this would ensure that he has justice for wrongdoings against him. In his eyes, this is a far more attractive proposition. in lending money from Shylock.